Short communication, Note
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2022
Content of Toxic and Essential Metals in Medicinal Herbs Growing in Polluted and Unpolluted Areas of Macedonia
Darinka Gjorgieva
orcid.org/0000-0003-2574-3153
; Faculty of Medical Sciences, “Goce Delčev” University, Štip, Skopje, Macedonia
Tatjana Kadifkova-Panovska
; Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Skopje, Macedonia
Katerina Bačeva
; Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Skopje, Macedonia
Trajče Stafilov
; Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Skopje, Macedonia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine and compare Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sr, Pb, and Zn content in medicinal herbs Urtica dioica L., Taraxacum officinale, and Matricaria recutita growing in polluted and unpolluted areas of the Republic of Macedonia. The metal content was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). In the unpolluted area of Mt. Plačkovica the metal content in Taraxacum officinale was in the descending order: Fe>Sr>Zn>Ba>Cr, while Pb and Cd were below the limit of detection. In the polluted area of Veles, the order was as follows: Fe>Zn>Sr>Pb>Ba>Cd>Cr. Our results suggest that quality assurance and monitoring of toxic metals is needed for plants intended for human use and consumption. Medicinal plants should be picked in areas free of any contamination sources.
Keywords
Ba; Cd; Cr; Fe; Matricaria recutita; Pb; Sr; Taraxacum officinale; Urtica dioica; Zn
Hrčak ID:
58441
URI
Publication date:
17.9.2010.
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